"How To Get Instant Credibility As A Copywriter...

14 years ago

Thanks Jag82.

No offense or disrespect to Derek, and I appreciate his initiative and ambition, but a "No Fluff Guide to Copywriting" is not the title if I were the copywriter/author.

It's really weak.

Tell him in the next edition to do the research and change the title to something a bit more compelling.

- Rick Duris

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Jag82

14 years ago

Originally Posted by RickDuris

No offense or disrespect to Derek, and I appreciate his initiative and ambition, but a "No Fluff Guide to Copywriting" is not the title if I were the copywriter/author.

It's really weak.

Originally Posted by Rezbi

Jag,

Don't take offense, but if you write a book on copywriting and the content is below par; Or if the jobs you do don't make any money, that quick credibility will sink faster than the titanic.

Like Rick Duris said, his title, the headline, is weak. That's killed his credibility for me instantly.

Isn't that why we always put down university professors and students who write books and gain credibility? We know they're all theory and no practice.

Rick, Rezbi...absolutely no offense taken. Why should I be offended?

You folks are peers I respect, and I think these are great
valid feedbacks. Will pass them to Derek. That's for sure.

I actually didn't realize the title of the book
until you guys mentioned it.

I was more pre-occupied of the fact that Derek
actually got a physical book out.

Originally Posted by Rezbi

Isn't that why we always put down university professors and students who write books and gain credibility? We know they're all theory and no practice.

So, if we can have a go at them for doing such things, how are we any better doing the same?

You are certainly right. The author needs to
know his subject matter well.

To be fair to Derek, I have read his sales copies
before and I think they are pretty decent.

I know he writes his copies for his own products.

Maybe I'll tell him to go split test his headlines
on Google Adwords for his next edition.

Jag

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Raydal

14 years ago

For a sure a PRINT book lends you more credibility than an ebook
which everybody and their cousins seem to have these days.

I also have a print book on Amazon for about 6 years now although
not in the IM/Copywriting field. But thanks for the reminder because
guess what I'm going to do now?

You guessed right.

-Ray Edwards

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dorothydot 14 years ago

Another way to get credibility as a copywriter is to have your own website. Make sure the homepage reflects your writing style, and be sure to have lots of samples of your writing (I usually just do the first page or the first few paragraphs so no one can swipe much). Oh, and don't forget testimonials!

If you can do that, then referring people to your site is your best way of getting clients who are already half sold on your services.

Dot
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Jag82

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Raydal

I also have a print book on Amazon for about 6 years now although
not in the IM/Copywriting field. But thanks for the reminder because
guess what I'm going to do now?

You guessed right.

Please let me know when you get that book out.

Publishing a book has always been one of my
"must-do" list but never found time for it.

Guess the excuses got to stop. I will definitely
get one out by year end.

Originally Posted by dorothydot

Another way to get credibility as a copywriter is to have your own website. Make sure the homepage reflects your writing style, and be sure to have lots of samples of your writing (I usually just do the first page or the first few paragraphs so no one can swipe much). Oh, and don't forget testimonials!

Good points there, Dot.

I expect that most of us, as online marketers, will
have their own sites.

For those who don't - why not?

That said, many of us already have sites.

But how many can actually say that they have
a printed book?

Ahhh...something to differentiate yourself
from the rest of the crowd.

Warmly,
Jag

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Derek_Franklin

14 years ago

Hey Y'all!

First of all, a big thank you to Jag for the post!

As for the title of the book, let me explain the big picture.

This book is simply 1 book in a series of 'No Fluff Guides' I plan on writing.

Think of the Dummies series of books. It's a brand, where all the books share a theme.

The 'Dummies Guide To Copywriting' doesn't sound exciting either, but when you choose to name all books based on a brand, sometimes that happens.

My copywriting book is simply part of a brand of book I intend on building.

My intention is to promote no-nonsense, no fluff, no hype books.

Thanks for the feedback!

Derek

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Rezbi

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Derek_Franklin

Hey Y'all!

First of all, a big thank you to Jag for the post!

As for the title of the book, let me explain the big picture.

This book is simply 1 book in a series of 'No Fluff Guides' I plan on writing.

Think of the Dummies series of books. It's a brand, where all the books share a theme.

The 'Dummies Guide To Copywriting' doesn't sound exciting either, but when you choose to name all books based on a brand, sometimes that happens.

My copywriting book is simply part of a brand of book I intend on building.

My intention is to promote no-nonsense, no fluff, no hype books.

Thanks for the feedback!

Derek

Hope it works out for you.

Good luck.

Thanks

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Rezbi

14 years ago

Jag,

Don't take offense, but if you write a book on copywriting and the content is below par; Or if the jobs you do don't make any money, that quick credibility will sink faster than the titanic.

Like Rick Duris said, his title, the headline, is weak. That's killed his credibility for me instantly.

Isn't that why we always put down university professors and students who write books and gain credibility? We know they're all theory and no practice.

So, if we can have a go at them for doing such things, how are we any better doing the same?

Thanks

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Jag82

14 years ago

Guys,

To add on to the discussion...

Michael Masterson and Mary Ellen Tribby of "Early To Rise"
fame had a best selling book on Amazon, titled
"Changing The Channel".

It's a book about multi channel marketing,
and I think it hit the best-seller list within a few days.

Now...I'm not sure about you...but
the title "Changing the Channel" doesn't
sound so sexy to me.

But that doesn't matter. It's merely my opinion.

Michael Masterson and Mary Ellen Tribby
actually tested various versions of their book
title on Google...and it turned out that
"Changing the Channel" was the winner
- much to their surprise.

The title wasn't even theirs. An employee
came out with it.

Goes to show that what works is often
counter-intuitive. Testing is soooooo crucial.

Derek - Rick and Rezbi...as part of your
intended audience have given their feedback.

Maybe...before you go on to create your
brand...you might want to do some further testing
first.

I can understand your intention on
the "no-fluff" direction.

But you never know. You could have the next
blockbuster brand which you may never
have initially thought of.

Cheers,
Jag

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Bruce Wedding

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Jag82

Guys,

To add on to the discussion...

Michael Masterson and Mary Ellen Tribby of "Early To Rise"
fame had a best selling book on Amazon, titled
"Changing The Channel".

You do realize that "Michael Masterson" doesn't exist, right?

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Harlan 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding

You do realize that "Michael Masterson" doesn't exist, right?

And you realize neither of them wrote the book.
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Jag82 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding

You do realize that "Michael Masterson" doesn't exist, right?

Yes, I know "Michael Masterson" is Mark Forde's pen name.

Originally Posted by Harlan

And you realize neither of them wrote the book.

I didn't know that.

Best,
Jag
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Johnny12345 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding

You do realize that "Michael Masterson" doesn't exist, right?

What?! The next thing you're gonna tell me is that Betty Crocker isn't real.

Johnny
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Rezbi

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding

You do realize that "Michael Masterson" doesn't exist, right?

What's with that?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people out there who use pen names.

So what if this guys uses one, too?

I'm not having a go at you, Bruce, but I just don't understand why this keeps coming up.

Heck, even Stephen King has written books under the pen name of Richard Brachman, but I'll bet no one will keep having a go at him about it.

The guy exists. He just chooses to use a pen name for his work.

There's at least two IM gurus who do the same: Eben Pagan and Frank Kern.

I'm sure there's more.

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Jag82 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Rezbi

The guy exists. He just chooses to use a pen name for his work.

There's at least two IM gurus who do the same: Eben Pagan and Frank Kern.

You are right Rezbi. Both of them have pen names.

No big deal.

Actually I'm not sure why this issue has to be
brought up..
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Bruce Wedding

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Rezbi

What's with that?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people out there who use pen names.

So what if this guys uses one, too?

I'm not having a go at you, Bruce, but I just don't understand why this keeps coming up.

Heck, even Stephen King has written books under the pen name of Richard Brachman, but I'll bet no one will keep having a go at him about it.

The guy exists. He just chooses to use a pen name for his work.

There's at least two IM gurus who do the same: Eben Pagan and Frank Kern.

I'm sure there's more.

Rezbi, the point is the REASON for the pen name. Is it because you're trying to protect a niche, aka Frank Kern and his dog niches? Or is it because you've been convicted of mail fraud and had thousands of consumer complaints filed against you and had $6.7 million dollars seized by the federal government for ripping people off?

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Derek_Franklin

14 years ago

Hey Jag,

Very good points!

With the title of my 'brand', I can't think of a better theme than 'No Fluff', which does a great way of conveying my no-nonsense approach.

Considering the book made $250.00 the 1st 2 weeks it was out - with ZERO marketing, I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

Love the WF!

Derek

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Johnny12345 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Derek_Franklin

With the title of my 'brand', I can't think of a better theme than 'No Fluff', which does a great way of conveying my no-nonsense approach.

Derek,

I agree. I really like the "No Fluff" theme. It's low hype and takes a "voice of reason" approach. And your book cover design is subtle and refined -- it matches that theme perfectly.

In today's highly-skeptical world, too many marketers make the mistake of using testosterone-charged, hype-laden, cartoon-like titles (usually because that's what they're used to seeing).

But, instead of falling into that trap, you've broke out of the IM box. Nice work. Congrats.

Regards,

Johnny

P.S. Of course, if you change your mind, you can always change the title to... "The Total Annihilation Guide To Copywriting Domination!"
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Sam Mlambo

14 years ago

Good stuff Derek. Kind of like Dan Kennedy's "No B.S." Series. Love those books.

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Johnny12345

14 years ago

Jag,

Nice thread. Yeah, Amazon's print-on-demand service makes book publishing a lot easier. Now all you have to do is write the book!

Johnny

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Johnny12345

14 years ago

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Mr. Subtle 14 years ago

Anyone read mine... from a few years ago?
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- RickDuris 14 years ago
  
  Hi Derek,
  
  I understand now. And selection of the title makes it even more important.
  
  At the risk of calling someone's baby ugly, my intuition tells me the "No Fluff" theme is a yawn.
  
  You want that series brand to *ROCK!!!* And it all starts with the overarching theme.
  
  The Guerrilla Marketing Series comes to mind.
  
  Or the Street Wise Series comes to mind.
  
  Or Kennedy's "No BS" series comes to mind.
  
  The overarching theme/brand has to be something you can fulfill on.
  
  Again, I would encourage you to do the research and dig deep, but now that I understand the big picture, it's even more important.
  
  Best of success, Derek.
  
  - Rick Duris
  
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brada7x

14 years ago

Whoever mentioned the fact that if your book isn't up to par you will lose credibility rather than gain it sounded the most intelligent throughout this whole conversation. While publishing a physical product can bring credibility it has to be backed by a worthy product. And I'd have to say it would surely have to be much longer than the typical 70-100 page ebook that you come across.

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fasteasysuccess

14 years ago

Absolutely a book can add credibility. I chose to write and publish a physical book and even though a lot covers marketing and sales, I have copywriting, advertising, and other tips and techniques to help business owners and entrepreneurs.

One thing I think is key is to provide value not just a book. Also the real key is to make the big bucks from having the book versus selling the book.

The book should really be value packed and really a good marketing piece. For example you can have a offer or thing from the book like I did to lead into clients and or future products/services.

Plus when you have a meeting with a client and instead of just a business card, you leave your book, it makes a great impression. Also testimonials from big players in the field helps.

Right before I finalized my book I sent the manuscript to some big players and received some phenomenal feedback and testimonials. Which definitely builds even more credibility.

So if you really do have value, don't be afraid to have the people you want to review it and if they like it give you a testimonial. Remember make the big money from having the book not just trying to sell the book.

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